Golden Silkie Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 i was wandering what you all thought about what are the must have things for an eglu with 2 chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Spare roosting bars! Aubiose (LOTS of threads on here about this and hemcore) for the run and nesting box, and to put in the droppings tray. Garlic (stops the poo smelling!) Those are the things I bought in the first month or so, I try to stop myself as it's very tempting to just load up on lots of chicken extras! Next time I do a mail-order from somewhere, I'm going to get some bokashi, red mite powder and citricidal as they all seem very popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiglet Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Hi, I wouldn't be withou my bale of Hemcore (british version of Aubiose) extremely good for the run and in the bottom of the litter tray. Food - obviously- some mixed grit and oyster grit (box of it easily available from pet store), and a large flower pot with sand in for a dirt bath. If you are a keen gardener, lots of netting for flower beds!!!! I,ve also found Poultry tonic good for "off" days, moulting chooks and cold weather spells useful, some other omleteers use poultry spice which I think does the same thing. Hope that's useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 The best 2 tips I've picked up on this forum are Auboise/hemcore as above, and number one; Diatom (available from Omlet) a powder which you can rub (dry) onto ends of roosting bars to prevent/eliminate redmite. Worth it's weight in gold, redmite are beastly for hens and it's far easier to prevent them than to do battle once they've taken hold. I wouldn't be without it, esp. when the weather warms up again. You can add to nestbox & dustbath too, but the roosting bar tip was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I've said it before, and I'll say it again! You MUST MAKE SURE that you have the following: A comfy chair - those chickens are addictive, and you'll find yourself sitting watching them for hours! A large mug - for all those mugs of coffee or tea that you'll consume while sitting in the above mentioned chair A camera - we're a nosy lot, and we love to see a photo or ten of new chickens in Eglus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I agree about Diatom. I haven't seen a mite since using it. Spare roosting bars are especially important in winter. Roosting bars don't last for ever, so it is not an extravagance. If you have light soil, you don't need Aubiose or Hemcore; all the mess in the run just disappears. The hens give the run a thorough digging over every day. I would wait until the hens grow until you decide whether you need an extension to the run. If they are let out a lot, you won't. You may also find that you need netting. You should get some bird grit (although mine don't seem to be eating theirs). I find an extra large plastic jug invaluable for carrying out pellets to refill the feeders; and I keep a large plastic box full of pellets in the kitchen so I don't have to fuss around in the shed when time is tight. But these things are optional. I would see how you get on first, or you may start buying things you won't use. Finally, I think there is something extra you need that everyone would agree about: a third chicken.... Seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I agree, it is not worth getting too much at the beginning. However I do think red mite powder is good. I have not had any problems with them but then again maybe I would not have had even without the powder. If you really want your chickens to be happy straightaway then a stock of sweetcorn should do the trick. Then just sit back, watch them and be happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I think a good sturdy feed bin & scoop are essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Yup, a third hen is a must. She provides company when one is laying ( or if the worst should happen.....) and gives more fun for you without any more bother. I would agree too about the roosting bars, so you can always have a clean, dry set to hand. I would also add a long handled washing up brush to scrub them with and a cat litter s"Ooops, word censored!"per for emptying the poo tray. 4 or 5 pieces of dried garlic (from horse feed suppliers) added to their water also works at reducing poo smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 wormer diatom something to clean eglu with (poultry shield?) opinion varies I use a trowel and small gardening brush we had for poo useful: food bin like Cinnamon says spare roosting bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Pure Citronella Oil (Essential Oil). Put 2 or 3 drips on your roosting bars after you've cleaned them and you will never get any flies in/around the eglu I bought my oil off ebay it was £4 for a large bottle that I guess will last me a couple of years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 The citronella oil on the roosting bars sounds a really good tip - I will try that! I already have some as I put a little in a spray bottle filled with water and spray it on skirting boards etc when my young lab feels like having a teething chew. It works a treat. I line the droppings tray with newspaper and then put a thin layer of hemcore on top. It is really easy to tip it straight onto the compost heap and the tray only needs a good wash afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Get a long-handled washing up brush to brush poo off the bars into litter tray daily ( you do this through the egg port). The big winter shade is fab to have. A clean dustbin to keep vermin out of your pellets and corn. Let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 You have an Eglu don't you Golden silkie? What do you think the must haves are? I'm too new to all this so at the moment I'm going with the comfy chair, large mug and a camera Just wish this rain would stop, it's been raining every day since my girls arrived and I'm sick of being cold and wet!! Somehow can't stay indoors though-worry they'll miss 'Mummy'!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Silkie Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 thanks guys i have most of the things am ordering a wintershade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Spare roosting bars definately. Do consider getting 3 chickens. If the unthinkable happens to one, then the other 2 will have company and you don't have the bother of introducing a new hen to the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Spare roosting bars Aubiose/hemcore for the run -couldnt live without it ! Poultry spice to keep hens in tip top condition Barrier red mite powder - for the combat and prevention of the dreaded red mite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Silkie Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 i am going to get a third chicken from a local farm a light sussex of a black rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 That sounds the best essential to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I agree. It sounds a bit callous, but I think with chickens you need at least a pair and a spare. When one of my original pair of chickens was taken by the fox, I was very relieved that I wasns't left with a lonely chicken and a new introduction to cope with. And of course the more the merrier: and more eggs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Yes we were lucky that Charlie had a 'flock' to move into. They now are all getting on pretty well and i hope they will all live in the cube, if not I'll have the mark 2 still Three plus is the best number as far as I am concerned BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Three plus is the best number as far as I am concerned BBx I think everyone on here would agree with you Buff! Def get spare roosting bars. Sweetcorn/mealworms and a camera! have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaw298 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Hi guys I am new to all this 'chicken-talk' and having just purchased my first eglu, I need to get to grips with things! Can someone please just explain what hemcore is and where do you use it? I am going to leave my eglu in a permanent position with bark chippings on the ground. will I still need hemcore? also, I was only going to get 2 chickens, is three really better? plus (I am not very high tech) can someone show me how to get the little chicken emoticons for my signature please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Hi EW! Firstly, hemcore or aubiose is shredded hemp stalks used for horse bedding. Its very absorbant, so many owners use it for the run, instead of bark, in the droppings tray and nest box. i started off with bark and quickly changed to aubiose, the poo disappears and the whole lot can be put in the compost. 2 versus 3 chickens?? I ordered 2 then changed to 3 the night before delivery! If something awful happens to one (god forbid) you have to run around like a loon to get a replacement, as a solitary chicken is not a happy one! Also introducing a new chicken to an established flock can be a bit brutal! Trust me, once you have a couple you will want more!!! Now for your signature go to this page and scroll down to the little symbols you need. They all have a * in them which you need to remove to get the pictures. Then go to you profile at the top of the page (between user groups and You have no new messages, click on it and about half way down this is a section called 'signature' with a blank box on the right. Fill in the details remembering to omit the *s and then click submit at the bottom! Clear as mud??? Good luck! send me a pm if you can't do it and i'll try for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Bark is not recommended as prone to going mouldy. Woodchip rots less quickly and is better. I use aubiose in the omlet run itself, and mud in the rest. I put the old aubiose on our vegetable plot and since February we have had GIANT rhubarb plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
